Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Multiple Movie Week

- my efforts to find a common topic in all four

This week I have watched the four movies:
Soylent Green, Pygmalion, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, and Disney's Hercules.

Background on movie-recommendations:

Pygmalion (1938) - my choice this week, sorta brushed on the movie & topic during my History of Motion Pictures community-college-course from the past; taught by Professor Daccurso. Haven't seen it in its entirety until this year.

Soylent Green (1973) - recommendation by a close friend; First viewed by myself with company this year.

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958) - English Literature mandatory reading assignment; class was taught by Mrs. Stern. Viewed movie during my High School studies; supplemental visual guide to screenplay I was to read studies. Revisited the film this year with company; I originally viewed this film 1997.

Disney's Hercules (1997) - early childhood recommendation from my sister. This year, I have watched it over four times total by myself and with company.

"The common topic that are in these four films from my observations: 
the main characters search for truth, a sense of belonging, 
and personal acceptance either within friends, family, and/or society."

How? Let me explain... 
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**spoiler alert: I do give away plot endings**
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Pygmalion (1938) - After his success at deceiving important persons at a Royal Ball by passing Eliza DoLittle as a very convincing Dutchess. Eliza seeks out the truth to Higgin's intentions and finds that he has 'grown accustommed' to Eliza. The dialog between Higgins and DoLittle is thought provoking. After much bickering between the two characters, DoLittle & Higgins, both agree that she has turned into a strong, 'lady' with dignity and deserved to be treated with respect. She wins the affection Professor Higgins; Her hard work in phonetic studies & language coaching with Higgins pays off: She is transformed: She is no longer an "guttersnipe", that Professor Higgin's had remark to her the day she the first day she had walked into his workplace.

Soylent Green (1973) - During the year 2022, over-population plague society. NY Detective investigates an assassination. Finds love for his dear friend and companion. In addition, 'rare-commodities' offer only short-lived pleasure. In the end, this detective discovers the horrifying truth about soylent food products: Soylent Green are people!

Cat On a Hot Tin Roof (1958) - Brick, the main character, is disgusted by lies, deceptions, and pressures within society, friend relationship, and family (aka: mendacity). Family feud during Big Daddy's birthday party, triggers questions from his father and mother about his personal life, this marriage to Maggie, and what he knows of Big Daddy's health condition. After much dialogue with his father, Brick expressed how much he would want to be loved by his father, and unlike an objects of interest that can be bought.

Disney's Hercules (1997) - Born a God, majority of his life spent as a amazingly strong human, Hercules seeks belonging and purpose. With much training, he strives to become a hero and return to his rightful place on Mt Olympus with his father Zeus and mother Hera (remember: Disney take on the myth); Hercules chooses that he belongs in a life with with his love, Megan.

In conclusion, the common paradigm / story plot to these four films are deception & lies surround the story's main character. Climatically, the main character finds their truth; balance is attained and resolutions to most conflicts are achieved before end-credits are revealed. The main character lives 'happily ever after', 'the end' appears on screen. 

awesome. let's roll credits! 

*smiles*

... of course you can find more info on all these via IMDb.com
In the end, I do recommend these four movies, I hope you can take the time to enjoy them as I did.

Kudos!

closing thoughts: I have seen many movies in my lifetime readers are always welcome to see my reviews on my Flixster ratings page: http://www.flixster.com/user/793353419/ratings/

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Raggedy Ann (Memories occuring April 7th)

Oh my! She was just lonely there and I just had to have her.

At that time; my thoughts urged Raggedy Anne, would make a great gift to someone special like my niece. She smelled clean. In addition to being affordable, I can also give her a quick 'laundry' clean and gift her to someone special. Perfect!

...and imagine! she was only $7.99; Looked online for retail prices for an item like she. Retail prices online show she's about $25 in value. Good Condition. Raggedy Ann is about 29" she's large!

Like a caveman would after a good hunt, I hulled my new found treasure to the register for purchase. The staff at Goodwill Thrift Store in Sherman Oaks, CA were all smiles. Obviously, my excitement was uncontainable at the moment my eyes had laid sight on her.

After a quick Metro ride, she's with me at my place; safe and sound. I had saved her from a lonely show in the Goodwill Thrift shop. Raggedy Andy was no where to be found! A good girl mustn't be left alone like that! Vulnerable and lonely, she needed me most.

I sat her down on my couch and took a sweet pic. Here's a photo of herself that night when she arrived at my apartment.



btw: If you haven't noticed yet. She's a large rag doll.

"Hello World!:, meet Ann... she was lonesome.
She has a home now with me. She's best known as Raggedy Ann. Although, I think she is not at all Raggedy.

Saving Snails

Have you even picked up a snail from its shell only to escort them to the other side of the sidewalk? How awful would its fate be if it had gotten squished under someone's shoe!

When I got caught, how embarrassed and silly I must've felt. Someone once said to me I was going to heaven for sure. *lmao* That one evening after a rain shower, He had caught me at the heat of my rescue. His remark on my actions has made waves to this very day.

Life is full of sweet simplicities.

Anyhow, off topic:this dreamwork's movie coming out in theaters. "Turbo"
My imagination and thoughts get the better of me; I image maybe that snail which I rescued later made it big in hollywood...
*smiles - hahaha*



--can't wait to see the flick when it gets released in theaters later this year.

edit/addendum: 10/29/2013
Has anyone watched "Turbo" the snail movie?I have. My jaw drops cause the story takes place in the San Fernando Valley! The 101 freeway is referenced. In addition, the snails mention in dialogue: the city of Van Nuys, California! whoa.In addition, I think I know which stripmall Taco stand they modified for its storyline! yup, I ate there after the movie. Of course, it doesn't look like the Taco stand in the movie, but the joint is the only Taco stand in the San Fernando Valley (specifically Van Nuys) that is located in a stipmall - business name: "Tacos Mexicano". naw-uh! In the movie turbo, it's Dos Bro Tacos...

article sources:
Online Source A 
Online Source B

Turbo is released on Bluray on November 12th 2013

Monday, May 6, 2013

*smiles* Welcome to my Crib *smiles*

My Los Angeles Housing Department Inspection May 2013

This month of May will be a very busy one. I have a couple inspections: one for Los Angeles Housing Department, today the 6th; and another with my management, Caring House Ministries.

They are both housing inspections, however different in nature. With LA Housing Department, they inspect on 'municipal Chapter 16 Code Violations' within the apartment, about three years or so, each tenant gets a visit with management beside them. With Caring House Ministries, they inspect cleanliness and upkeep the apartment.

This youtube video was taken today: (There are a few or more things I need to organize; however, not sweating the work until the 16th. I can say that my apartment looks 'lived-in')

please feel free to go to the youtube link and watch. The video is without dialogue and my record is playing music in the background. **be aware, I'm still uploading, the video will be live 11am -ish**




Update: (5/18/2003) Video Upload for 5/16/2013 CHM inspection

In conclusion, these type of inspections for my apartment keeps me on check and disciplines myself to maintain order in my apartment. Weeks before the event, it's cleaning hell. Grease spots, dust, mopping, vacuuming, washing clothing, are on my cleaning checklist. When my visitors arrive, they are welcomed to provide feedback and constructive criticism. *smiles*

Saturday, May 4, 2013

The Bug-Boogie Dance

Last month, I felt icky. I had a mysterious rash, I thought it was an allergic reaction to my perfume or something. and suddenly I became ill with a cold. My doctor treated me with antibiotics (generic perscription: augmentin) Later, while doing laundry and removing my bedding from my bed; I found that I had bed-bugs! whoa! This is a first. I took everything seriously. So seriously, to the point of insanity; while I was spraying alcohol over my fabrics and furniture I finally cracked into laughter from the fumes and realized. The situation can be managed.

In this post I will describe my approach to ridding myself of these pests.

Firstly, unlike myself, try not to panic. I notified the apartment management as soon as I recognized the situation. And of course, I googled images of what these creepy crawlers were. I oriented myself with what damages to my health and what other damages they can do to my surrounding environment.

Time is essential. The quicker I worked to resolve my issue, the better.

My point is that one must not procrastination because the situation can escalate and these bugs can surely multiply if no action is taken.

Firstly wash clothing in warmest setting for clothing and tumble dry in High Heat. Tell-tell signs are small brownish/redish splotches on white fitted bedsheets of your mattress. Most likely this happens when eggs and bed-bugs die from heat of the dryer. What I did was wash ALL my clothing. I'm so fortunate that my wardrobe is a modest size than most.

Inspect the mattress and cushions of the furniture. Live bed-bugs and their eggs maybe most noticeable in these areas.

Once the situation has been determined and you find bed-bugs in your living situation, whether apartment or household, take action and be vigilant in your efforts

Bed-bug sprays and foggers are available in drugstores, home improvement stores, and local privately owned stores like First Bargain and the99cent only store. Spray the bed-frame.

With my situation, I took most of my belongings; clothing *even the clean ones* in bags, household items in boxes and storage containers and put them in on room *in my case the bathroom* and fogged the room to oblivion.

the other rooms were treated as well with pesticide foggers provided conveniently by my apartment's management. Later, management made arrangements to have my carpets steam cleaned. The events were exhausting to this point.

Steam clean the carpet and furniture and once the carpet is dry, I recommend to re-vacuum the area as I did.

Later, I looked up online on how to maintain a bed-bug free area and found that 91% isopropyl alcohol will dry bed bugs and their eggs. Please be aware the chemical is highly flammable and use with caution; it's always recommended to spray in well ventilated areas. In addition, metals, fabric, and plastics. The alcohol will strip paint so take care of where this chemical is sprayed. Continue treatment for at least over 4 months. According to a personal source, (my neighbor) these creatures can go on without food for about 4 months.

Treat furniture, clothing, and fabrics found around the household, such as curtains with 91% alcohol as a preventative measure as well. Its better to be safe than sorry. A disposable lint roller to pick up bug-bodies and eggs, if any; from fabric is ideal. Always reinspect the area; and lastly don't forget to dust!

Before going to bed. Take a nice shower. Groom yourself before you retire for the evening. A lamp with Citronella lamp oil burning may put your thoughts at ease during your evenings. Citronella Oil kills bed-bugs as well as repel mosquito-bugs, if any.

IF my efforts fail, which (currently) I highly doubt. I will try and try again.A clean living area and care of your environment is best. In the end, the time invested will be a profitable one.

It's very important that your do not point fingers. Take responsibility. Pointing fingers at who started the issues to begin with must be the last thing on your mind. Stay focused. Handle the matter at hand and assist others in their efforts within the apartment so that the issues are permanently terminated.

In conclusion, once you are bed-bug ridden, you can guarantee better health for yourself, and no rashes due to bites from these pests. At worst bed-bugs can cause illness and the dis-ease of rashes on the skin.

Its been an exhausting first month. As I type this post under the flame of lamp that's burning citronella lamp oil, I think. I did well. as it was once said in the movie Babe: "that'll do pig; that'll do". lol. *smiles*

addendum:

The previous bed and box were destroyed and removed from my apartment. With the help of my dad, I have a new mattress and box. I continue to spray seams for precaution and have the beds in cased in a plastic 'bed-bug' bag so that it protects the bed and box from any attempts. The enclosure that my bed and box are in can be found at Anna's Linens. Mornings I check my body for anything out of the ordinary; and every five days to a week wash bed linen in hot and warm water. Because my linen is brand new as well I look for tiny splotches on the sheets that is a good indication if my work has been done well. After a good high heat dry, I spray sheets with alcohol too. lol. the fumes get me a little tipsy and wear of as soon as I get out into fresh air. So far so good. it's going to be a tedious five months.

As for where they originated from bed-bugs are hitch hikers they can be on cushions of seats. They are found on beds of unkept hotel and motels or unsanitary places. They can travel from apartment to apartment. Just be cautious on the company you keep. No worries, I'll get through this in shining colors.

Best to any efforts out there. My efforts continue. Luckily, I wasn't infested. I my experience resembled more closely to an unwelcomed visitation. :P

in retrospect; yes. I've out done myself this time with sanitation *smiles*